Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser versus Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator .
Last updated on July 18, 2023. Published on November 23, 2022
Overview
What they are
These products are both cruelty-free and reef safe . They have a total of 3 ingredients in common
Cool Features
They both contain BHA
Suited For
They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, sensitive skin, oily skin, reducing pores and scar healing
Free From
They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, parabens or silicones
What's Inside
They both contain oils
We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.
Face Cleanser
Face cleansers are used to remove makeup, dead skin cells, pollutants, oil, dirt, and/or clean out pores on the skin. Face cleansers may specialize in having one function (exa. just removing makeup) or may have multiple functions (exa. Removing makeup and cleaning pores).
Exfoliator
Exfoliators are used to exfoliate the skin, or remove dead skin cells from the skin. Exfoliators may be chemical or physical.
Price
Ingredient Info
Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator 29 ingredients
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Fragrance Free
This product is free of fragrances 🎉
Contains Sulfate
Ingredients in this product that are types of sulfate:
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Non Vegan
This product is not vegan 😥
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
Alcohol Free
This product is free of harsh alcohols 🎉
Silicon Free
This product is free of silicons 🎉
Contains Fragrance
Ingredients in this product that are forms of fragrance:
Sulfate Free
This product is free of sulfates 🎉
Paraben Free
This product is free of parabens 🎉
Contains Oils
Ingredients in this product that are types of oil:
Not Malassezia Safe
Ingredients in this product that are not malassezia safe:
Reef Safe
This product is free of ingredients that damage reefs 🎉
EU Allergen Free
This product is free of EU allergens 🎉
Vegan
This product is vegan 🎉
Cruelty Free
This product is cruelty-free 🎉
At a glance
Click on any of the items below to learn more
Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator 29 ingredients
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Concerns
This product contains 3 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Notable Ingredients
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Benefits
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 2 ingredients that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
Concerns
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
This product contains 1 ingredient that may have this attribute:
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Join SkinSortIngredients Compared
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator 29 ingredients
Salicylic Acid • Water • Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate • Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer • Glycerin • Peg-200 Hydrogenated Glyceryl Palmate • Sodium Laureth Sulfate • Arginine • Butylene Glycol • Peg-7 Glyceryl Cocoate • Panthenol • Disodium EDTA • Citric Acid • Peg-60 Hydrogenated Castor Oil • Sodium Citrate • Phenoxyethanol • Caprylyl Glycol • Chlorphenesin
Microcrystalline Cellulose • Magnesium Oxide • Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate • Avena Sativa Kernel Extract • Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate • Sodium Lauroyl Glutamate • Oryza Sativa Bran Extract • Oryza Sativa Starch • Hydrogenated Coconut Acid • Allantoin • Papain • Salicylic Acid • Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract • Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract • Glycyrrhiza Glabra Root Extract • PCA • Populus Tremuloides Bark Extract • Cyclodextrin • Sodium Isethionate • Lauryl Methacrylate • Maltodextrin • Melaleuca Cajaputi Extract • Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil • Citrus Paradisi Peel Oil • Sodium Dehydroacetate • Hydrolyzed Corn Starch Hydroxyethyl Ether • Water • Limonene • Citric Acid
Ingredients Side-by-side
Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.
Learn more about what what Com. / Irr. ratings are
Ingredients Explained
These ingredients are found in both products.
Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.
Salicylic Acid (also known as beta hydroxy acid or BHA) is one of the most well-known ingredients for treating skin that struggles with blackheads and acne. It helps to exfoliate both the skin's surface and pores, and also acts as an anti-inflammatory agent.
This multitasking property makes it a great ingredient for cleaning out pores, controlling oil production, and reducing inflammation.
Unlike AHAs which are water soluble, Salicylic Acid is oil soluble. This means that it's able to exfoliate the inside of pores and reduce blackheads.
Concentrations of 0.5-2% are recognized by the U.S. FDA as an over-the-counter topical acne product.
It can cause irritation and/or dryness if one's skin already has a compromised moisture barrier, so it's best to focus on repairing that before introducing a Salicylic Acid into your routine.
In general, Salicylic Acid is a great ingredient for oily acne-prone skin.
While salicylic acid does not increase sun-sensitivity, we still recommend wearing SPF.
If you are looking for the ingredient called BHA or Butylated Hydroxyanisole, click here.
Learn more about Salicylic AcidPaula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 1.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator contains this as ingredient number 12.
Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.
So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.
You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!
Learn more about WaterPaula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 2.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator contains this as ingredient number 27.
Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).
If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.
As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.
Read more about some other popular AHA's here:
Learn more about Citric AcidPaula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser contains this as ingredient number 13.
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator contains this as ingredient number 29.
Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.
Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator 29 ingredients
Usage
Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.
When to use
Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator 29 ingredients
Reviews
Here's what our community thinks
Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser 18 ingredients
Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant Exfoliator 29 ingredients
MeaganClare
A great gentle exfoliant
This always removes any physical texture or dead skin build up that I have. I use it about two or three times a week,...
A great gentle exfoliant
This always removes any physical texture or dead skin build up that I have. I use it about two or three times a week, depending on my texture. I have very congested skin, and while this keeps my texture from worsening, it doesn't do much for existing congestion or any acne issues that I have. I do love the product, and I really trust the brand, but it's a worthwhile detail when considering different exfoliators.
emmat
scrumptious
love this, best thing ive ever used, makes my face bright and clear and uncongested. I dont use it every night since it irritates me,...
scrumptious
love this, best thing ive ever used, makes my face bright and clear and uncongested. I dont use it every night since it irritates me, if you have sensitive skin i wouldnt use this every night test a patch on your neck every night to see if your skin can take it
Alternatives
Our Dupe Finder has found 50 potential alternatives that have similar ingredients to Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser.
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